[AN: Re: Reviews - It seems a lot of people don't want me to follow the events of the Buu Saga. I understand why. But the whole point of this fanfiction is to follow the events of the story from Videl's perspective. Making it an AU would ruin that. But don't worry. We're getting to the point where the story doesn't tell us exactly what Videl is doing. So we'll get a lot more original material from here on.]
The next match is The Great Saiyaman vs Kibito, boomed the announcer. Videl hurried to the arena. She knew she wouldn't have time to get a seat, so she'd just stand and watch outside the competitor's area.
When she arrived, it looked like the match had officially started. Gohan had gotten into a fighting stance, but Kibito didn't react at all. It was like he didn't even care.
Videl suddenly realised, with a panic, that Gohan wasn't wearing his sunglasses or his bandanna. His disguise is all gone! Does he not care about secrecy anymore?
But cheers made her look to the crowd, where she recognised Erasa and Sharpener cheering in Gohan's direction. It looked like they knew who he was. They probably figured it out on their own. That's why Gohan doesn't care about people recognising him. I knew he wouldn't be able to keep it a secret. He's a terrible liar, and even worse at keeping a secret identity.
It would definitely be interesting when they got back to school, that was for sure.
Kibito started talking to Gohan, but she couldn't hear what he was saying. She tried moving closer.
When she got there, she could just hear Gohan replying to him. "In front of everyone? No, way! Forget it!"
Kibito didn't look phased. "If you want to help us, you should do it. It's necessary for our plan."
Gohan stared blankly. "What is this plan, exactly?" he asked.
"Gohan!" yelled a voice. Videl turned her head towards the commotion. It was the green-skinned man. "It's OK," he said. "You can trust him!"
"Are you sure?" asked Gohan.
"Yes. I know who they are now. They're on our side."
Despite this, Gohan still looked nervous. Whatever Kibito wanted him to do, it was clear he wasn't comfortable with it.
"Get on with the fight!" yelled someone from the crowd.
More frustrated voices joined in and jeered. Honestly, Videl felt like joining them. She came here to watch a fight and all they were doing were talking! And not about anything interesting, either!
The jeering seemed to be the last straw. Gohan snapped. Suddenly, something in his expression changed – something she'd never seen in him before. Something like arrogance. "Fine!" he yelled to the crowd. He stared at Kibito, eyes narrowed.
"Last chance for requests!" he said. "Do you still want to see a Super Saiyan?"
He smirked. "Or should I take it to the next level?"
What the hell is a Super Saiyan? Videl thought.
Gohan didn't wait for a response. He stood, and then started to yell. It looked like he was concentrating intently. Like he was trying to…power up, or something. That was when things started to get really strange.
A gust of wind rushed through the stadium. The tiles of the arena started vibrating. It felt like the ground was shaking. And Videl had the strangest feeling…Gohan was causing it.
And then, with a burst of light, Gohan's hair turned golden.
Videl could only stare, shocked. He's the Gold Fighter, she realised. He has to be. It's too much of a coincidence.
Of course he's the Gold Fighter, said a voice in her head. Who else would it honestly be? The only reason you didn't think it was him was because he denied it.
But then another thought came into her mind. If he's the Gold Fighter…now that I can see him, he must also be-
Gohan stopped yelling. Whatever he had to show, it looked like he had done it. What happened to him? His black hair had turned to gold, and was standing on end. And he was surrounded by a golden aura. That, and small sparks that looked like bolts of lightning. It was like his very presence was exciting the air around him.
It felt like time was slowing down for her. She finally understood. There was no way she could deny what was happening right in front of her.
Gohan wasn't just a strong fighter. He was something completely different. Everything she thought she knew was wrong. He had so much power…she could almost feel it! Or maybe she could feel it? She had this strange…twitch, one that she'd never felt before. Whatever was happening, she knew his power was real. And it was on a whole new level to what she could ever imagine. This is ridiculous, she thought. He can't be this powerful. No one can be this powerful! How had he managed to hide this?
Gohan, meanwhile, didn't look at all phased at the transformation that had occurred. He seemed like he was enjoying everyone's shocked looks, especially Kibito's. "So," he asked him. "Are you satisfied now?"
Kibito continued to stare with what looked like fear. Suddenly, his expression softened. "I apologise for this," he said. "It's necessary."
Videl felt the footsteps of people running behind her. When she looked back, it was Spopovich and Yamu. They were rushing to Gohan, and Yamu was holding something that looked like one of those old-fashioned oil lamps.
Seeing Spopovich, Videl suddenly panicked. But she relaxed a little when they ran right past her without giving her a second glance. Whatever they were doing, she wasn't important to them.
Gohan noticed them as they approached him. "What do you want?" he said angrily.
But then Gohan froze in his tracks. It was like his body was suddenly paralyzed, and, judging by his pained expression, it looked like it was happening against his will.
That seemed to be the cue Spopovich and Yamu needed. Without hesitation, Yamu shoved the pointy end of the lamp into Gohan's back.
Gohan's sudden screams of pain made Videl realise that whatever was happening was definitely not a good thing. As they kept the lamp in him, he looked like his energy was being drained away. His hair and eyes (his eyes had changed, too, she realised) turned back to their normal colours, and he fell to the floor, exhausted.
Videl had no idea what was happening. "Gohan!" she screamed, and desperately ran over to him. She had to help him, somehow!
Spopovich and Yamu yanked the lamp out of him. It looked like they got what they needed. And when everyone started recovering from the shock of what just happened, they simply…flew off, far away from the arena.
Can everyone fly, now?
A few seconds later, someone else from the competitor's area flew out as well. They seemed to be following them.
Her attention went back to Gohan. She stared at his fallen body. It looked like he was still conscious, which was good, at least. But she didn't know what had happened to him.
Someone approached her. She thought it would be the medic, but it was Kibito.
"You get away from him!" she yelled. "Why didn't you stop them? You were right there!"
"This was a part of the plan," Kibito replied.
"What did they do to him?"
"They merely stole his energy. But I can restore it."
"You can?" she asked, elated. Kibito, not waiting for her permission, put his hands over Gohan. A strange light seemed to be emitting from them.
After a few seconds, Gohan opened his eyes. "What?" he said. "What happened?"
"Follow me," said Kibito. "I'll explain everything." And he rose in the air.
He can fly, too. Apparently, it's not even difficult anymore. Gohan looked like he was going to follow him.
"Wait!" she stopped them. "I'm coming, too."
Gohan frowned. "It might be dangerous."
"I'm coming anyway," she said stubbornly. "I want to know the truth. I deserve that much."
Gohan sighed, not bothering to argue. "Alright. But be sure to get out if it gets rough, OK?"
"OK." Despite everything that had happened, Videl felt a little excited. Finally, finally, someone was going to explain something. She had enough of mysteries. And there was a thought going in her mind that she needed to verify.
Videl and Gohan followed Kibito into the air. Everyone's going to see me flying now, she realised. If they didn't believe it during her match, they'd believe it now. But, in a way, it made sense. Gohan had revealed his secret to everyone. It was only fair that she revealed hers.
She wasn't exactly sure where they were going, but it looked like they were going in the same direction as Spopovich and Yamu. How they remembered exactly what direction they had fled, she wasn't sure. She was just following their lead.
"So," started Gohan. "Are you going to explain what happened there? Who are you? And what do you want?"
"I am Kibito, servant to the Supreme Kai," Kibito explained. "We arrived at this planet to prevent the resurrection of Majin Buu."
"Who's that?" Videl asked. She knew she was butting in, but she couldn't help it. She wanted to know what was going on.
Kibito thought for a moment. "I suppose I'll start at the beginning." And he started his tale.
Videl was suddenly aware that she was lagging behind the others. This is my fault. I've never practiced flying this fast before. They're probably used to going faster. She tried to speed up.
"3000 years ago, there lived an evil sorcerer named Bibidi. Using his magic, he created his ultimate being, Majin Buu. Majin Buu was a creature of pure destruction and enormous power. It could obliterate civilisations in a blink of an eye. It had no conscious, no emotions. Its sole purpose was to destroy."
"Bibidi used Majin Buu's power to destroy hundreds of planets. But Buu's power was so great that even Bibidi had trouble controlling it. He used his magic to seal Majin Buu in a cocoon, in which only Bibidi could release him."
"My master, the Supreme Kai, was not able to destroy Buu. Its fearsome power was too great. However, he was able to stop it in another way. One time, when Bibidi had sealed Buu in its cocoon on a planet in preparation for awakening it again, my master was able to kill Bibidi."
"Oh," said Gohan, understanding. "With him gone, no one would be able to wake Buu up from the cocoon!"
"Correct," said Kibito.
I've had enough of fairytales, thought Videl, getting annoyed. "What does this have to do with us?" she asked.
Kibito looked irritated by her interruptions. "The place where Buu's cocoon lay, the planet that Bibidi was intending to destroy next – it was this planet. Earth."
Videl found that hard to believe.
Gohan saw the issues as well. "But you said Bibidi is dead. How would Majin Buu be able to be revived?"
"It turns out Bibidi had a son," answered Kibito. "His name is Babidi, and he is intending to find Buu and use it to continue his father's work."
Videl realised she was lagging behind again. Got to keep the pace. She was getting a little tired. How much farther is it, anyway? We've gone a long way.
She snapped back to their conversation.
"Does Babidi know the spell to release Buu?" asked Gohan.
"We do not think so," said Kibito. "But there is another way to free it. However, it requires a massive amount of energy."
"Is that why those guys stole my energy?" asked Gohan. "Does that mean they were working for Babidi?"
"I believe so," said Kibito. "They became Babidi's Majin warriors. Babidi controlled them using the evil in their hearts, and in return, allowed them power beyond their limits."
Was that how Spopovich was so strong? Because he was controlled by an….alien wizard? This was starting to sound so bizarre. But it did explain how he could survive his neck getting broken. He wasn't entirely human anymore.
"So we're following those guys…" started Gohan.
"So they can lead us to Babidi, yes," finished Kibito. "If we can kill Babidi, or destroy his device, we may be able to stop Buu being revived."
"Is Buu really that dangerous?" Videl piped in.
Kibito stared at her. "Of course, you silly girl," he growled. "Didn't I just tell you that the Supreme Kai himself could not stop it!"
"Who even IS this Supreme Kai?" she asked. He kept repeating that name, expecting her to know what it meant. It was frustrating.
"The nerve!" exclaimed Kibito. "The Supreme Kai is the highest of all the Kais – the most important and powerful deity in the universe!"
The fighter Shin? That guy with the Mohawk? While she thought he had looked weird, 'deity' was the last thing she expected him to be.
Another wave of fatigue washed through her. She had to slow down for a second. Gohan and Kibito zoomed on ahead of her. Looking around, she couldn't see their destination, if there was one. If I'm this tired already, I don't know if I can follow them all the way. She probably could if she slowed down, but she didn't know where she was going. She had to keep up with them to follow them. And she couldn't. Not for long.
"We need to speed up," said Kibito.
Speed up? I can barely keep up as it is!
The distance between them kept growing, until Gohan seemed to realise she was lagging behind. He stopped for a second to give her time to catch up. Through all the talk of sorcerers and magic and gods, her problems seemed like a world away. It was as if only now did he realise how difficult this was for her.
"Hey," he asked, concerned. "Are you OK?"
"You're going a bit fast for me," she admitted. Both literally and metaphorically. "I can barely keep my eyes open."
"Oh, you're just not used to the wind yet!" Gohan assured her. "You'll get used to it, I'm sure of it."
Videl was slowly realising she was a bit over her head. Creatures destroying galaxies? Supreme beings? Sorcerers from 3000 years ago? It seemed a lot more serious than a simple martial arts tournament. How could she help?
"I don't think so," she said honestly. "I'm just holding you back, aren't I?"
Gohan looked at her, sadly. "I'm sorry," he said. "It's not really your fault. But you're right."
Now that she knew how powerful he was, she knew she was outclassed. It was frustrating, but she had to accept it. She still remembered the beating Spopovich gave her, and she didn't want something like that to happen again.
"Maybe I'll go back…" she said. "You can handle yourself, right?"
"I'll be fine," he said firmly. "If you're going back, can you tell my mum and brother what's going on? Tell them my father's with me. I can sense him ahead of us."
"Sure." His family's probably worried.
Gohan looked like he was about to fly off. But Videl realised she hadn't gotten all her answers. "Wait a second!" she said abruptly. "I still need to know the truth."
Gohan stared in confusion.
Videl started her questions. She needed to get this off her chest. "The Gold Fighter – that was really you, wasn't it?"
Gohan sighed. "Yeah."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she exclaimed.
He didn't want to look at her. "I didn't want you to know. It wasn't just me I was looking after."
It's not just about him? That confirms it! "So…those people who showed up 7 years ago during the fight with Cell, that was your friends, wasn't it? And you – you were the little boy that was with them!"
He looked around, as if he was checking if anyone was watching, and finally nodded. "Yes. That was me."
It had made so much sense. When Videl had seen Gohan's group, she thought they looked familiar. If they were the other challengers at the Cell Games, it explained why she recognised them.
But, at the same time, she remembered Goten and Trunks firing energy blasts. She remembered how they could all fly. And, most of all, she remembered Gohan as the Gold Fighter. How could they NOT use that power against Cell?
But they DID use that power against Cell, she realised. While it aired years ago, she still remembered the….light show that was happening before her father prepared to fight for the second time.
She tried to think back to the day of the Cell Games, when one of the other challenges fought Cell, who was obviously one of Gohan's friends. She did remember the energy blasts and the flying, but she assumed it was a trick. Or a pre-show. Everyone else was sceptical about it, so why would she believe it?
But now that she had proof it was real…she didn't know what to think. There was one thought in her mind, and she didn't want to believe it. But, at the same time, she couldn't keep denying it.
"So…that means…my father wasn't the one who beat Cell. Was it one of you guys?"
Gohan had a brief smile. "You could say that."
It was him, Videl understood. Gohan's expression gave it away. He looked almost proud. He wouldn't react like that unless he had a part in it. And, now that she thought about it, the 'delivery boy' was one of the last people to fight Cell before the camera broke. If anyone could have done it, it would have been him. She wasn't sure exactly how he did it, considering he would have been about…9 years old at the time. But, now knowing what he was capable of, it wasn't too far-fetched.
"Well, go on!" said Videl. "Go, and be a hero again!"
Gohan smiled and went to rejoin Kibito. He waved goodbye.
And, without her holding them back, they started flying at full speed. They were so fast! She could barely see them after a few seconds!
"You'd better come back," she said out loud, staring at the spot where they left. "I'm not finished with you yet, Gohan."
She started flying back to the tournament. She had to tell Gohan's family where he was. That was a job to do, at least.
And she needed to accept her father was a liar.